On June 14-18, 2022, the meeting of the Minister General and his Definitory with the Presidents of the Federations took place at the Friary of the Twelve Holy Apostles in Rome.
The following Presidents were present: Friar Obed Muriungi KAROBIA (African Federation of Conventual Franciscans), Friar Milan KOS (Centralis Europae Foederatio), Friar Sidifredo de la Cruz CHAPPARO GUALDRÓN (Federación América Latina Conventuales); Friar Bonaventure KALLUVETTUKUZHIYIL (Federation of Asian Minor Conventuals), Friar Wojciech KULIG (Foederatio Europae Mediae et Orientalis); and Friar Gaspare LA BARBERA (Federazione Inter-mediterranea Ministri Provinciali). Friar Michael HEINE, the new Minister Provincial of the Province of Our Lady of the Angels in the USA was connected online from the United States. He was serving as a Delegate until a new President of Conventual Franciscan Federation is elected.
It was good that most of the friars could be together. Previously, during online meetings with the General Definitory, there was only a brief window of time in which the friars could meet, greet and catch up. Now they were finally able to reclaim the irreplaceable advantage of being physically present with each other and holding discussions in person. The Vicar General, Friar Jan MACIEJOWSKI, coordinated the work of the meeting. Friars Francis Muthoka NZYOKA, Marcos Alejandro QUESADA NAVARRO and Jesús Manuel RODRÍGUEZ MORALES provided fraternal and valuable service as translators.
The brotherly hospitality of the Guardian, Friar Francesco CELESTINO and the friars of the General Curia, helped create a peaceful, family atmosphere for the General Definitory and the Presidents to meet, discuss and exchange views on the Motions of the last General Chapter. They conducted a sort of mid-term review and evaluation in order to check on the status and current development of the Order. They examined the progress and sufferings that took place in some parts of our Conventual family. It was a good opportunity to look forward to what grounds us in hope.
The friars spent some convivial moments on the terrace rooftops of the Friaries of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe and Twelve Holy Apostles. They also explored the nearby Palazzo Colonna. The crowning event of the meeting was a pilgrimage to the birthplace of the Federations and the entire Order: Assisi. The participants visited the tomb of St. Francis and met with the General Custos of the Sacred Convent, Friar Marco MORONI. They celebrated Mass in the lower Basilica and proceeded to the Franciscanum friary for lunch, where they were welcomed by the Dean, Friar Domenico PAOLETTI and the other friars present.
The Minister General, Friar Carlos TROVARELLI, imparted his blessing upon the Presidents and the General Definitory as they departed Assisi, renewed in spirit, to continue their service on behalf of our confreres around the world.
Friar Giovanni VOLTAN,
Assistant General for the Federazione Inter-mediterranea Ministri Provinciali
